‘Space nation’ Asgardia names Russian scientist Igor Ashurbeyli as first leader – and he’s shooting for the stars
‘This day will certainly be recorded in the annals of the greatest events in the history of humankind’
It sounds appealing given the state of politics on Earth: a plan to launch a utopian “space nation” with the aim of transcending earthly divisions.
At a lavish ceremony in Vienna’s Hofburg Palace on Monday, some 200 attendees inaugurated Russian scientist and businessman Igor Ashurbeyli as the first “head of nation” of Asgardia, named after a realm in Norse mythology.
Ashurbeyli has been the driving force behind the concept, announcing the creation of Asgardia two years ago.
The aim is to get the “most creative” members of the human race – which Ashurbeyli estimates at roughly two per cent of the world’s population, or some 150 million people – to sign up.
It also has grandiose ambitions. It wants to build up that population of 150 million within 10 years and plans to set up “space arks” with artificial gravity in outer space where humans could live permanently.